Although whiteleaf leatherflower looks very similar to vasevine, the two are not as closely related within the Viorna clematis group. Clematis glaucophylla, a near-native plant from the southeast, is more closely related to Clematis versicolor and Clematis addisonii. The whiteleaf leatherflower is uncommon to rare within its limited range.

What sets this species apart are the lime to blue-green leaves that seem to glow on misty or foggy days. Until I’m able to get some pictures of them grown, check out the photos on the NC Extension site. The flowers also appear to be a brighter pink to slightly purple.

Whiteleaf leatherflower and other Viorna group clematises

You wouldn’t know these are related to other clematises by appearance. All of the leatherflower clematises share these bell or urn-shaped flowers. Also, the actual flowers are inside of the bell, but they lack petals. Those thick leathery structures are the sepals. Sepals are the modified leaves making up the outer layer that protect the developing flower bud inside. On many commonly cultivated plants, you can tell the difference, because the sepals are green. Just like these flowers lack petals, some flowers lack sepals. Knowing the difference, and which one has what, is often used in helping to identify plants.

They’re not all vines

Since these have easily become one of my favorite taxa (I don’t have a favorite, but I’m noticing I’m drawn to Ranunculaceae), I am hoping to collect seed for and grow all the various other leatherflowers. One thing that’s really fun is they’re not all vines. Some grow into little mounding herbaceous plants, maybe a foot or two off the ground. They have similar flowers as these, but a different form.

One of the whiteleaf leatherflower’s close relatives, Clematis addisonii, is one such species. Instead of vining, Addison’s clematis is a shrubby species that grows 30″ tall.

Hummingbirds love them

There are a number of pollinators that visit these flowers, but the ones many people aim to try to attract to their garden are hummingbirds. If you’re planting a garden to attract these lovely birds, don’t forget to check out my other “Humdingers for Hummers“! Whiteleaf leatherflower is also popular with other pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and hosts the Plebeian Sphynx moth caterpillars.

When to prune whiteleaf leatherflower

At any point after it goes dormant, you can cut it all the way to the ground. These fully die back in winter and put out new growth in spring.